China falls in love with Italian wine, claims Vinitaly organiser

Veronafiere, organisers of the Vinitaly exhibition, claims China has fallen in love with its Italian wines which were in show at the recent Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair (HKIWSF).

The Vinitaly World Tour 2011 pavillion featured 1,500 wines from 125 producers in 16 Italian regions.

The HKIWSF organiser’s claim the show was attended by 40,000 visitors from 37 countries (40% up on the previous show), including 19,403 buyers from 71 countries.

Giovanni Mantovani, CEO Veronafiere said: "The overall picture was largely positive from all points of view. It was essential to give an important signal to the Chinese market, destined to become within a few years, number one in the wine world. More must be done from the point of view of consumer education, and in this sense Vinitaly has greatly contributed.”